Identification and Distribution of Zooplankton in False Bay Estuary and Beaverton Cove, San Juan Island WA USA

Abstract

Plankton form the base level food chain in all marine systems. Characterizing the diversity and abundance of plankton in a location can reveal the unique ecology of a system. Zooplankton were identified and enumerated in two locations, False Bay and Beaverton Cove on San Juan Island, WA USA in November 2021. Nine taxa were found in both locations. However, the abundance of a few taxa were much higher in Beaverton Cove than False Bay while overall diversity was higher in False Bay. This pattern could be attributed to higher freshwater inflows into False Bay leading to a broader range of salinity and nutrient availability. Overall abundance might be lower in False Bay than Beaverton Cove because of the 'washing out' factor caused by the greater influx of freshwater into False Bay from False Bay creek.